First Posted: 1/25/2012

Unimin Corporation announced a $100,000 gift to the Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham comprehensive capital campaign Tuesday on behalf of the employees at its Marston location.

The donation, which will support the Bernoulli Blower exhibit in the museum’s I CAN Wonder Why science theme area, will be presented at a formal check ceremony in Rockingham with officials from both organizations in attendance. Currently in development, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will offer creative learning-through-play experiences for children and their caregivers that build essential skills by encouraging curiosity, discovery and fun. It will be the second Discovery Place KIDS museum, following last year’s successful launch of Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville.

“We are proud to be making this investment in the development of such an extraordinary educational opportunity for the children of our region,” said Joe Howell, Marston Plant Manager. “At Unimin, we believe that being good citizens and neighbors of the communities in which we work is an integral part of our success. Discovery Place KIDS will provide imaginative learning and growth opportunities for the families of our community that will pay dividends in education, quality of life and just plain smiles for years to come.”

Founded in 1970, Unimin Corporation has grown from a small, local sand mining company to a leading producer and worldwide provider of non-metallic industrial minerals. The company’s products play an integral role in the production of products that touch millions of lives daily including: glass, ceramic and lighting industries; paint, plastic, rubber and composite manufacturers; semiconductor and photovoltaic cell production; and, the metallurgical and foundry industries. The company is dedicated to building a sustainable business model whereby the decisions made today ensure an economically and environmentally sustainable tomorrow.

“Companies like Unimin demonstrate the best of class in their ongoing commitment to the communities they live in through dollars, volunteerism and partnership, “said Frank Jenkins, member of the Campaign’s Corporate Committee. “We are grateful for the support Unimin is providing to make Discovery Place KIDS a reality for the region, and we are grateful to have them as contributing members of our community.”

The I CAN Wonder Why theme area of the new museum will provide hands-on science-based activities for children. The Bernoulli Blower will be a prominent feature of the area demonstrating — in a playful way — the basic ideas of the Bernoulli principle of fluid dynamics. Real world examples of the Bernoulli principle in action can be found all around from the lift of an airplane’s wings to the mixing of fluid and air in a carburetor to conveying materials at Unimin Corporation.

“The true character of a community is measured by the way in which the individuals, corporations and organizations that live there choose to invest in its future,” said John Mackay, president and CEO, Discovery Place, Inc. “Unimin’s commitment to the education of the region’s children demonstrates their leadership and dedication to a sustained and thriving future. We are honored to have them as partners.”

The Unimin Corporation check presentation to Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will take place today at 4:30 p.m. in front of the former McKenzie Furniture Building, future home of the museum. In the event of rain the presentation will move to Rockingham City Hall.

The Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham comprehensive campaign was initiated with $6.6 million in gifts from the Cole Foundation and the Richmond Community Foundation, gifts that were facilitated by the Foundation For The Carolinas.